Smart Edges 63
closer control. Sizing is a complex problem to grasp, and we can state
that there are no truly effective tools available in this domain, in that
the parameters that need to be taken into account in a complex
network environment are difficult to fully appreciate. We have a
choice between data rate, response time, degree of usage of the line
couplers and of the central units, bit error rate, packet error rate, repeat
rate and failure rate. In addition, the values of the mean, the variance
and sometimes the higher-order moments need to be taken into
consideration in order to gain a real idea of the performances.
The engineering of network design involves two main aspects: the
qualitative and the quantitative. The qualitative aspect often
corresponds to operational security, in the sense that it is possible to
prove that the system is stable or that there is no state in which the
network ceases to work. The quantitative aspect refers to the values of
the parameters listed in the previous paragraph, with the aim of
quantitative analysis being to show that these values are reasonable for
normal operation of the network.
Security is an important function, to which intelligence may
contribute. Today, a certain degree of standardization enables us to
have a clearer view of the problems, and a few major classes of
security have been defined, corresponding to needs clearly expressed
by the users. We can easily imagine the contribution made by
intelligent tools in the world of security, to discover anomalies,
analyze them, give a diagnosis, propose a solution and resolve the
problem.
Management is also a domain where intelligent agents could play a
leading role. When a network is running, it needs administration – i.e.
we need to be able to control all the operations that take place in the
network, from breakdowns and accounting to security, performance
management and username management.
Various specific administrative domains already use intelligent
components – in particular, the following:
– configuration management;
– security management;
www.it-ebooks.info
closer control. Sizing is a complex problem to grasp, and we can state
that there are no truly effective tools available in this domain, in that
the parameters that need to be taken into account in a complex
network environment are difficult to fully appreciate. We have a
choice between data rate, response time, degree of usage of the line
couplers and of the central units, bit error rate, packet error rate, repeat
rate and failure rate. In addition, the values of the mean, the variance
and sometimes the higher-order moments need to be taken into
consideration in order to gain a real idea of the performances.
The engineering of network design involves two main aspects: the
qualitative and the quantitative. The qualitative aspect often
corresponds to operational security, in the sense that it is possible to
prove that the system is stable or that there is no state in which the
network ceases to work. The quantitative aspect refers to the values of
the parameters listed in the previous paragraph, with the aim of
quantitative analysis being to show that these values are reasonable for
normal operation of the network.
Security is an important function, to which intelligence may
contribute. Today, a certain degree of standardization enables us to
have a clearer view of the problems, and a few major classes of
security have been defined, corresponding to needs clearly expressed
by the users. We can easily imagine the contribution made by
intelligent tools in the world of security, to discover anomalies,
analyze them, give a diagnosis, propose a solution and resolve the
problem.
Management is also a domain where intelligent agents could play a
leading role. When a network is running, it needs administration – i.e.
we need to be able to control all the operations that take place in the
network, from breakdowns and accounting to security, performance
management and username management.
Various specific administrative domains already use intelligent
components – in particular, the following:
– configuration management;
– security management;
www.it-ebooks.info